Find out how the just-released specifications for Ford's 2018 F-150 Powerstroke diesel compare to the 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel's numbers.

By Brian Dally - January 10, 2018

Tale of Two 3 Liters

If you were waiting to see the specs on the diesel F-150 for 2018 your wait is over, Ford released them just this week. So how different is Ford's turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel from the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel in the 2018 Ram? Numbers don't always tell the whole story but the news is good for Ford fans—we'll get to that in just a minute, but first a little background. Ford's Powerstroke engine is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is a cousin to the diesel V6 used by both Land Rover and Jaguar. Ford specifically adapts it to U.S. pickup truck requirements. The Ram's EcoDiesel is manufactured by VM Motori, the concern that also makes the Chevy Colorado's diesel engine.

Numbers Please — Power

Back to the good news. Ford's powerplant puts out 250 horsepower at 3,250 rpm and 440 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm, while the Ram, its only real competition in this segment, delivers 240 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. As you can see, they are close, but not only does the F-150 have a 5% or so edge in torque, it comes on sooner. Couple that with Ford's 10-speed transmission vs. the Ram's 8-speed and it's something you'll likely to be able to feel the effect of on the road.

Numbers Please — Capacity

Nowhere do you need power more than when you've got to haul cargo or pull a trailer somewhere. Even better news for Ford buyers in those departments. The diesel F-150 has a payload capacity of 2,020 pounds and can tow 11,400 pounds. The EcoDiesel-equipped Ram, depending on the configuration chosen, has a payload capacity of 1,100 to 1,600 pounds, and the capability of towing from 7,560 to 9,210 pounds.

Numbers Please — Economy

Of course, buyers of diesel pickups have a keen interest in fuel economy, and these trucks don't disappoint, delivering car-like numbers in a full-size package. Ford says its target for the F-150 is 30 mpg highway mileage. Again that puts Ford slightly ahead of the Ram, which delivers 27 mpg highway. Ford hasn't disclosed figures for its city mpg target yet, but to edge the Ram it would have to beat that platform's 20 mpg in two-wheel drive and 19 in four-wheel drive city numbers.

Numbers Please — Price

In the real world there is another number that matters—and so far 2018 counts as the real world, at least for pickup buyers. Ford's least expensive diesel F-150 starts at $46,315 (for a Lariat extended cab with two-wheel drive and a 6.5-foot bed), while the diesel Ram, on the other hand, starts significantly lower, at $28,585 (in the stripped-down Tradesman model). The discrepancy comes from Ford's decision to only offer the powerplant in conjunction with higher levels of trim, while any level Ram can come equipped with their diesel, from the Tradesman on up to the posh Laramie Longhorn and Limited models. This separation continues over into the choice of cabs, the diesel F-150 only coming with extended cab variants, while the Ram again is pick-your-mix. It's a good thing Ford beat out the Ram's numbers in each category mentioned, making the purchase price painless acute for brand- or numbers-loyal buyers. Back to the real world for a moment—the only thing as persuasive as the price is likely to be a test drive, so if you've driven the 2018 F-150 Powerstroke let us know what you think, especially if you've driven it's Ram-flavored competition as well.